FLORENCE, Ala. – Twenty-one students at the University of North Alabama are currently honing their career skills by helping manage and promote a March 18 concert by UNA’s Singing River Records artist Archie Hubbard at the Ritz Theater in Sheffield.

Hubbard will perform his new album “The Ride” along with local artist McKenzie Lockhart, who is working on a new album. The show, which will take place at 7:30 p.m., is a collaborative effort between Singing River Records and Dr. Bob Garfrerick’s artist management and touring class.

Garfrerick, professor of music and chair of the Department of Entertainment Industry, said the class is handling a real-work project and is working with various other organizations, including the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA) and UNA faculty members, to make the concert possible.

UNA student Ben Skipworth, who works as production manager, said the project has given him a realistic feel for how the entertainment industry and concert promotion work in the real world.

“We are actually getting hands-on experience out in the field working with what we want to do in our careers,” he said. “[The concert] is going to be a really different experience and a lot more relaxed than other shows.”

Skipworth said the March 18 show will likely be separated into two different segments. The first part of the concert will include a portion in which Hubbard will perform some of his favorite songs and discuss the song-writing process, along with his co-writers. During the second half of the show, Hubbard will perform with his band and be interviewed by someone in broadcast media.

The students are working together to organize and publicize the event, sell tickets and CDs and iron out any details before the show takes place. Garfrerick said the experience will benefit them in the future as they pursue careers in the entertainment business.

“There’s a misconception that anybody can put on a concert, but it’s a very risky business,” Garfrerick said. “Students get to see the budgeting and production process and what it takes to put on a show. This is what they would see in the real world.”

Admission to the Archie Hubbard concert will be $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Attendees can purchase tickets at the Tennessee Valley Art Association in Tuscumbia, the UNA Department of Entertainment Industry or at the door the night of the show.

For more information on Archie Hubbard, Singing River Records or the UNA Department of Entertainment Industry, contact Garfrerick at 256-765-4369 or ragarfrerick@una.edu.